By Dalia Colón
If you’re a parent, the idea of taking your kids to a museum probably sends your heart racing. What happens when they get bored? What if they break something? How to keep them quiet?
But these concerns are a non-issue at the Tallahassee Museum, which is decidedly un-museum-like.
For one, it’s almost entirely outdoors. Sure, there are some indoor exhibits, but the main attraction is Mother Nature herself.
"One of the best features of the museum is how we have something to offer everyone,” said Emma Chemey, the marketing specialist for the Tallahassee Museum. “In addition to our zipline courses, animal trail and living history demonstrations, we also have education classes for both adults and children throughout the summer. So as your kids grow up, the museum grows up with them and gives them something new to explore."
As your family explores the Tallahassee Museum, here are some items you may want to bring along:
1) Stroller or wagon. The 52-acre property can be a lot for little ones. Do them—and yourself—a favor by bringing a stroller or wagon.
2) Sustenance. With so much ground to cover, you could spend several hours at the museum. Bring cold drinks and a picnic lunch to keep stave off meltdowns, or plan a pit stop at the museum’s Trail Break Cafe.
3) Your good camera. You’ll want to capture the museum’s native wildlife and plants in high resolution.
4) Courage. Tallahassee Museum is home to Tree to Tree Adventures, an aerial obstacle courses that include bridges, tight ropes and zip lines. There are courses for both adults and children over 41 inches tall, so show your kids how brave you are. If members of your brood are too small for the obstacle course, then have another adult pass time with them at the museum’s playground while you brave the obstacles. The museum also offers nighttime Tree to Tree Adventures and moonlit guided tours.
5) Appropriate clothing and footwear. Walking shoes are ideal along the nature trail. For Tree to Tree Adventures, close-toed athletic shoes are required, and shorts are recommended.
6) Bug spray. This is real Florida, after all.
7) Spending money. For the gift shop, of course. The museum store is full of local art, jewelry, honey and other items you and your kids won’t want to pass up.
When you go…
The Tallahassee Museum
3945 Museum Drive
Tallahassee, Fla. 32310
(850) 575-8684 or (850) 576-1636
